This stout, 256-page spiral-bound reference gets at one of the top issues plaguing do-it-yourself decorators: How do we mix and match color, pattern and texture without the result looking like an explosion in Candy Land? The introduction encourages the reader to exploit color to personalize a space and enhance its architectural graces. A quick primer on the color wheel and then off we go into seemingly endless combinations of flooring and fabrics. This book is a keeper because it sparks new ideas from one room to the next, and from one home to the next.

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“Colin Cower Chic: The guide to life as it should be,” by Colin Cowie ($30, Clarkson Potter)

It’s hard to avoid being skeptical of Oprah-made celebrity, or of celebrities who pass themselves off as design experts when their cred mostly consists of shopping at Barneys New York. But Colin Cowie has legitimate style chops and is the definition of dapper. His book’s cool brown croc cover, gorgeous photography and voyeuristic view inside the life of an A-List party planner is irresistible. He meant the book to be a guide to living every day with style regardless of whether you’re tippling with friends or trying to impress the boss. Highlights include yummy cocktail recipes, like Sgroppino made with Prosecco, vodka and lemon sorbet, and tips for making yourself indispensable around the office.